Crafting is fun for all ages and interests. This blog evolved from researching resources for friends and articles I write as a freelance writer. It is a place to share the information I discovered. Please feel free to leave comments and questions. I am always looking at new projects ideas for family and friends in areas of my own abilities and theirs.
As a notice to my readers this blog does contain Amazon links and Google Adsense.

Friday, September 30, 2011

Just a reminder if you have not entered the Fashion Doll Leaflet Giveaway for a Leisure Arts crochet leaflet you can enter here.

This dischloth was made using the Butterfly Crochet Dishcloth #171 from Maggie Weldon's dishcloth challenge. My in-laws fly in from out of state for Christmas so we generally give gift cards so they don't have to ship too much when they head home. I still like to add some home made items. My MIL collects butterflies and I found two dishclothes in Maggie's contest.

This has been another stash busting Christmas project. I used up some Lily Sugar & Creme I had on hand. Although I will confess I bought some Bernat Handicrafter at the AC Moore sale over the weekend to replace it. Purple is a popular color for my spring projects.

If you arrived here looking for free home patterns please see the following blog pages:

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Just a reminder if you have not entered the Fashion Doll Leaflet Giveaway for a Leisure Arts crochet leaflet you can enter here.

I finished the Pilgrim Turkey pattern I received in the Crochetville Kit Swap. I mentioned previously that this turkey was not created in the traditional amigurumi circle style. Instead, the pattern directions instruct one to create two pieces and sew the two pieces together. I think I will keep the details for future patterns, but work on a more traditional amigurumi body. I love the hat, the bib, and the other features. I will be including them on future turkeys. I may even try the flat body again.

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

I was shopping the second day of the AC Moore yarn sale, yesterday. I had gathered two copies of the $5 and $10 coupons, along with some percent off coupons and put them in a plastic baggie so they would not get lost in my purse. When I was finished, shopping my companion used the $10 coupon and I used the $5. This left me with a complete set. Since the sale was over that night and we were near closing time, it was clear I was not going to be using the other two. There was a woman in line behind me with a significant pile of items. I asked her if she had any of sale coupons. She did not seem pleased with the question and I realized people have taunted me with the need to be more diligent in picking up the flyers myself. Therefore, I quickly asked her if she would like some coupons and offered her the two I had. She took the one that applied to her purchase and left the one she could not use for the next customer. She was quite pleased at her $10 savings. I know I have forgotten my coupons more than once and every so often, someone is kind enough to share. Especially on the last day of a sale when you are not likely to be back, it is hardly a sacrifice to share with a stranger.

I was pleased with my purchases. I was able to try out the Clover Soft Touch Hooks. I bought an E to use with my doll projects. I will write more about my experience later. I finished up the last of my purple cotton so I picked up some Bernat Handicrafter on sale to replace it. The last time AC Moore had Red Heart on sale I picked up the Red Heart Super Saver Carrot for the first time. I liked the way it looked for my fall projects, so I picked up more skeins to help with my Thanksgiving projects. They had a good bargain on Caron One Pounders and this time allowed me to use my coupon in addition to the sale. I also picked up some green Bernat Holiday yarn to make a doll dress.

It was a great trip and I am glad I was able to help someone else save some money as well.

Monday, September 26, 2011

I wanted a picture of the set together before they headed out the door. This shot was taken Wednesday before I packaged them to drop them off on Thursday. I am going to try to get a few more made to donate before Christmas, but I have a heavy list of other projects due before then. We will have to see what happens. I am glad to have met this goal.

If you arrived here looking for free toy patterns please see the following pages:

Friday, September 23, 2011

This was the last dino I had time to make before the deadline. I thought I might finish a Pteranodon. However, he still needed a beak and wings at bedtime. Therefore, I dropped off four dinos yesterday. The donations were looking thin so I am glad I made the time to make them.

This ami was made using Planet June's Tyrannosaurus Rex Pattern that I received for my birthday as part of her Dinosaurs Set 2. I have a T-Rex pattern as part of Gourmet Crochet's Amigurumi Dinosaurs that I have made several times. After making both patterns I can say they both have their strengths and weaknesses for my style of ami making. I like Planet June's one piece body and tail. However, I was not crazy about the bottom legs. I do think her smaller arms were better than those of the Gourmet Crochet pattern. They fit better. The heads are kind of a toss up with Planet June's having slightly more shaping to it.

I have already adapted the Gourmet Crochet pattern to avoid sewing the head on once. I may incorporate the tail design and make a hybrid of the two in the future, as T-Rex seems to be a popular request among the children in the family.

As far as my stash busting goal this actually finished off one of the smaller balls of Red Heart Super Saver yarn. I had a trash bag full of yarn balls and this stash busting has reduced it by a third so far. I am trying to remember to look into the bag before reaching for a full skein to start my smaller projects.

If you arrived here looking for free toy patterns please see the following pages:

Thursday, September 22, 2011

This is the third dinosaur I made for my donation project. The pattern is from Wolf Dreamer's Dino Buddies patterns that my husband purchased for my birthday. I continued my stash busting goal and used up some Bernat Super Value Lilac I had left over from a previous project.

This has quickly become one of my favorite dino patterns and one I keep returning to when I need a quick toy pattern for family, friend, or donation.

If you arrived here looking for free toy patterns please see the following pages:

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

My AC Moore $10 off rewards coupon arrived in the mail yesterday. All that swap shopping had rewards. I encourage people to sign up for the various store's reward programs, mailing lists, and email lists. I have benefited greatly from the coupons and special offers. If you buy craft materials, keeping it affordable means knowing about the sales and the deals.

Don't forget if you have not entered the Fashion Doll Leaflet Giveaway for a Leisure Arts crochet leaflet you can enter here.

I finished another dino for the donation project. I should have a picture to post soon. I put a T-Rex on the hook last night from a pattern I have not used yet. I am hoping to have this finished today, as I need to drop these off tomorrow.

I also realized that I started my afghans out of order. The Kitty blanket is going to be delivered Christmas Eve. The other one I need to make has to be shipped. Therefore, I began working on that one yesterday, too. I also read of a new technique to work with the yarn on the Kitty one so I may want to experiment with that to make the back of the Kitty blanket neater when it is finished. I am making the Sunset Throw from the August 2011 Crochet World magazine using Red Heart Super Saver Melonberry. It is an interesting look and I love the colors. It is working up quickly.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Just a reminder if you have not entered the Fashion Doll Leaflet Giveaway for a Leisure Arts crochet leaflet you can enter here.

My color swap package is safely on its way to my partner and should arrive Saturday according to the post office. While checking the status of my swap package I discovered the Halloween package is still on track to arrive Thursday.

I am interested to see what my partner thinks of her box. I did not make and ami's or toys this time as there did not seem to be an interest. This was a color theme, not a crochet based theme so I was able to add many non-crocheted items to meet the theme.

I am almost finished with my third dinosaur and think I can make my four goal donation. I plan to drop them off on Thursday, so it still gives me some working time to complete the last two.

In between the first and the second dino I did start on the Pilgrim Turkey that was part of my swap kit. What surprised me in reading the pattern is that this is not made in the round. Looking at the picture, he looks like a round turkey to me. However, the pattern actually is more of a traditional flat two-piece turkey sewn together. I am finding it interesting to work through because I have not made one quite like this before and am interested to see how it will look. I made both body pieces before stopping to return to the dinos. While I really want to see how he is going to look, I have a deadline for the dinos. When they are delivered, I can start to think of Thanksgiving.

Monday, September 19, 2011

Parasaurolophus is the second dino I finished for my donation project. The pattern was part of Planet June's Dinosaurs set of 3 I received for my birthday. This dino was part of my stash busting goal. I used a ball of Kelly Green Bernat Super Value Yarn that has been in my bag of yarn balls for a while now.

I loved the face on this project. I have liked the way Planet June designs her faces and horns. I still prefer the tails and bodies of Gourmet Crochet's Amigurumi Dinosaurs.

Friday, September 16, 2011

I was one spoiled swapper in this round of Crochetville Kit Swapping. I got two kits not one. I know how the materials to make the Pilgrim Turkey and the Woodland Creatures patterns.

She sent me two doll crochet books. Dress-Up Fashions for 18 Inch Dolls and a Barbie Fashion Doll book that I did not have in my collection that uses baby finger yarn, not thread.

These were the two pretty bags she made for me.

There was a huge pile of yarn to complete the projects.

She even sent treats to put in the Halloween box to be mailed and to give to my relative who will be visiting us this weekend. It was a very thoughtful and generous package and I am very grateful to my swap partner.

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Just a reminder if you haven't entered the Barbie/Fashion Doll Leaflet Giveaway you can check it out here.

I picked a bad day for it, hot and humid, but I put together the Halloween box yesterday. It took me three tries to find the right size box, but it is ready for mailing tomorrow.

I was surprised at how much stuff there was to put in the box. That is why the first two boxes were too small. The afghan took up more space than I had anticipated. Then the toys and books began to fill all the space. Before I knew it, the box was full.

The only doll that is missing an outfit is Stacie. I hope that next year I will get to one for her. I have promised that Skipper will have a Pilgrim outfit this year.

I also had some books and other holiday items I purchased in the post Halloween sales last year. I have present boxes in the attics to keep stuff I buy in advance. I use an Excel sheet to track the stuff and print it out to go attic hunting. It proved helpful yesterday, as there were a few books that were not where I predicted I would find them. Without the list, I am not sure I would have located everything.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Just a reminder if you haven't entered the Barbie/Fashion Doll Leaflet Giveaway you can check it out here.

I finished my Color Swap for Crochetville. I am waiting on a package that has shipped. When that arrives, I can pop it into the already packed box and send the box off to my partner. I think she will find some things to enjoy in it.

I started my second donation dino. After finishing the head, I decided to start a second one. After putting the eyes in frogging was not an easy option. Something just did not look right. The second one seemed better and I finished the neck as well last night. I am hoping to have him finished today.

I fixed a row and completed two more of the Cats Afghan from the Hooked on Crochet Nov/Dec 1997 issue. I am hoping to have this completed by next month so I can start the last of my Christmas Afghans. There are going to be many ends to finish at the end of this project, but I love the look of this project so far. While I have never worked a chart project before, I have not found this as hard as the ripple afghan. Even when I make a mistake, it seems easier to find it.

Once I get my partner's box packed and mailed for the swap, I am going to mail the Halloween Box. Then I have to get started on the Thanksgiving items.

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

As many of my readers know I love to collect out of print leaflets, books, and magazines. I often get requests from readers asking me where to find these booklets. I have decided to try offering some of the extra books I locate as giveaways on my blogs. To be clear this is a USED booklet. Since there are not many Barbie/fashion doll books in print the used ones can be more challenging to locate as the demand is high.

I tried to keep the giveaway entry simple although some people are having trouble with the entry tool. I am not a Facebook or Twitter user so there will be no requirements that involve Facebook or Twitter. The giveaway is open to US residents only.

The contest will end September 30 and one winner will get the leaflet.

The Rules are simple.

To Enter go down to the comment section of for this blog entry and leave a comment. On the entry form the place that says click for directions and click on the section that says I DID THIS. We were working out the kinks for day one, but all future entries are required to leave a comment in the comment section for this entry to be entered.

Please don't just fill out the form. It will only count as an entry if you actually leave a comment on the blog entry, not if you only fill out the form. I am asking that you do the required tasks to enter the contest. They are not challenging.

The second entry requires you to go to the My Fashion Doll Projects page. Visit the projects and leave a comment on the page of your favorite one. Go back to the entry form click for directions and click on the I DID THIS and you will have another entry. It only counts as an entry if you leave a comment.

I added a third option. Become a friend on Google Connect and leave a comment telling me you have become a follower with the name you use to follow. For those of you who are already a friend leave your follower name in the comment section. Go back to the entry form click on the directions and click on the I DID THIS and you will have another entry.

The winner will be announced in October and hopefully will be able to make some new Barbie clothes for Christmas.

The Bright Waves Ripple was one of those simple, but challenging projects. The pattern was not difficult, but I have since started a more challenging chart pattern that I have not pulled out nearly as often as I have this one. It was worth the effort though. I now have the second Christmas afghan finished.

Now that I have started tackling my first chart afghan I am seriously considering making the Colorado Halloween Afghan for my own house next year. There is no way it will make this year's project list.

Check out the Holiday Blogs and Special Event Blogs for More Patterns:

Friday, September 9, 2011

I have photographs to take and projects to finish so I decided today would be a good day to focus on what I am in the middle of instead of rushing to put something on the page.

After watching the success others have had with Rafflecopter I have joined and am planning on adding giveaways of out of print pattern leaflets and magazines that I find in my travels. I know I am not the only collector out there and recently picked up some while pattern shopping for myself to use for this purpose. Look for September's giveaway directions to be posted soon.

I am working on pieces for a Color Swap at Crochetville that I cannot post until the swap is over. I have been working out of my comfort zone trying new stitches and in one case working my way through a different kind of project. I have frogged it twice already so I am not certain of its outcome.

The Kitty afghan is my favorite piece right now. I love the way the colors blend. With a yarn sale last week, I now have enough yarn to finish the final afghan I have on my Christmas list. If I finish that one, I do have one in mind for my Mom. However, that could easily become a Mother's Day or birthday present if I do not make the Christmas deadline.

I have to get serious about dinos this weekend if that one dino is not to be an orphan. If I can finish the piece I keep frogging for my swap partner, it would free up more time to finish the dinos.

This weekend I also have to dig the Halloween stuff out of the closet that needs to be mailed so I get the Halloween box prepared. I have books and some items I got at the post Halloween sales last year that need to be added to my Halloween crochet projects. The stuff should arrive at the end of the month giving the kid a good start to the Halloween season.

Thursday, September 8, 2011

I finished my first donation dino for the project I have been blogging about for weeks. I have been promising to get going on this project forever and it feels so good to have one I can send off to the Church. I hope to have some friends to go with him. The plan was to have a herd. However, each journey or herd starts with the first.

This guy was made using Planet June's Dimetrodon pattern. I got the pattern as part of her Dinosaur Set of 3 for my birthday. You can purchase it as an individual pattern. This is the second pattern I have made from this set. The combination of detailed directions and zoomed in pictures that demonstrate the stitches make her patterns wonderful to follow.

I used Red Heart Super Saver from my stash to finish this guy. I am in a stash busting mode. While I keep buying yarn for specific projects, I am determined to use my amigurumi's as a reason to destash when possible.

If you arrived here looking for free toy patterns please see the following pages:

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

This was the third and final Halloween bell I made based on the Seasonal Bell pattern from the February 2001 edition of Hooked on Crochet (Number 85). The cat portion was improvised from previous finger puppets I had made using Caron One Pound Black and some scrap yarn I had left over for the eyes and nose. The bell was made from Red Heart Super Saver Plum Pudding.

The pattern provides ideas for holiday bells year round so I will be starting on the Thanksgiving ones soon.

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

This was the second Halloween bell I made based on the Seasonal Bell pattern from the February 2001 edition of Hooked on Crochet (Number 85). The pumpkin is the pumpkin head from the Halloween Lovey Doll found in the September/October 2011 Crochet Today. The Seasonal pattern comes with flat holiday bell handles, but I prefer the amigurumi style so I played with the pattern.

The final bell is finished and I am struggling with the idea of calling this package finished. I have some Halloween treat bags I could start. However, I have dinos to finish for a Church donation, a Color Swap I am working on at Crochetville, two different 18" doll projects I need to get started on, the Thanksgiving box that has yet to be started, and birthdays and Christmas gifts that need to be done before December. I think it is time to close the door on Halloween and move forward. There is always next year to take on the Halloween stuff I have not had time to play with this year.

Friday, September 2, 2011

I have made a few of these Bear Security Blankets from B Is for Baby from Annie's Attic. This one was for the granddaughter of my swap partner. I wanted something cute and feminine. The previous ones I made had been for boys.

I started by making the blanket section with variegated Red Heart Plum Pudding with Caron One Pound Lavender Blue as the accent color. I was not pleased with the look so I pulled it out and switched the colors. I liked the look better with the Lavender Blue as the main color and the Plum Pudding as the accent.

If you arrived her looking for free baby blanket patterns please check out:

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Another item is ready for my Halloween box. This pattern for a Halloween Lovey Doll comes from the September/October 2011 Crochet Today. I believe there is a connection between Crochet Today and Red Heart as there is a great deal of Red Heart yarn promotion in their patterns and in return promotion of the magazine on the Red Heart website. I do not know the details, but with the cost of production, it would seem like a good marketing technique to sell more yarn. I however am on a kick to use yarn from my stash or yarn locally available on my toy projects. When doing larger projects like afghans where I need significant amounts of the same color or cannot find a color locally I have resorted to ordering the yarn. Therefore, since Red Heart Creme de la Creme is not available locally, I chose not to order it and stuck with Sugar & Cream instead. I adapted the colors to what I had available.

What I found interesting as I was writing this blog is that Creme de la Creme is not as easy to locate online as I would have thought either. Considering this pattern was posted in a recent issue one would have thought it would be easy to located on the Red Heart website, it was not. I did find it more easily at the Knitting Warehouse and was able to compare weight, length, and price with the Lily brand and it seems similar although not having used it I cannot speak to quality. I am just not sure if Red Heart is discontinuing it, as it does not seem to be easy to locate on their site.

That being said this project obviously works up well with any worsted weight cotton. I am going to adapt the colors, the toy heads, and try making one for Thanksgiving, too. One adaptation I did make was leaving off the feet. Eventually I want to try my hand at making the topsy turvy dolls and I have some patterns. When making those the legs make sense. Here the legs looked awkward and strange. While I did make a candy corn man for this Halloween package, in that case he actually had a body that supported legs. In this instance, the body does not seem to call for it, so I chose not to include them.

If you arrived here looking for free toy patterns please see the following pages: